Spivey wins Texas Farm Bureau Excellence in Agriculture contest
(ROUND ROCK, Texas)—A passion for teaching and shaping the next generation of agricultural leaders earned Jacob Spivey recognition as the winner of the 2024 Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) Excellence in Agriculture competition.
Spivey is an agricultural science teacher and FFA advisor at Warren High School. He introduces his students to a variety of agricultural topics, from livestock and horticultural projects to leadership development. He also trains teams for FFA competitions.
“Texas Farm Bureau is proud to recognize Jacob for his accomplishments in and out of the classroom,” TFB President Russell Boening said. “He is a great example of how young people can be involved in agriculture even if they are not solely farming or ranching.”
Spivey serves on the Tyler County Farm Bureau board of directors and is the Youth Activities chair. He also coordinates the Ag Education Day in his community.
The program, which is tied to Tyler County Agriculture Week, has grown to include all fourth-grade students from the six elementary schools in the county. Ag Education Day addresses questions students might have about agriculture, and the lessons align with fourth-grade science TEKS.
Spivey is the fourth generation in his family to raise Brahman cattle, and it’s a passion he and his wife, Melanie, hope to pass on to their two daughters. His family is also involved in timber production.
“Passionate young leaders like Jacob are important to the continued success of Texas agriculture,” Boening said. “As a teacher, Jacob plays a key role in inspiring future agricultural leaders and helping students learn more about career opportunities within agriculture.”
State prizes
As the winner of the Excellence in Agriculture contest, Spivey received a $15,000 member-dealer voucher to be used at Ford, Case IH, Grasshopper, CAT or John Deere, courtesy of Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company; an engraved crystal award; and expense-paid trips to both the TFB Annual Meeting and American Farm Bureau Federation Annual Convention.
Other finalists in this year’s competition included Jacob and Laura Henson of Lingleville and Madalynn Kainer of Brenham.
The two runners-up received a $1,000 cash award, courtesy of Farm Bureau Bank; a $500 cash award, courtesy of Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company; and an expense-paid trip to the TFB Annual Meeting.
Spivey will go on to represent Texas at the American Farm Bureau Federation competition in January.
National prizes
The winner of the national Excellence of Agriculture award will receive a $35,000 credit toward a new Ford, courtesy of Ford Motor Company; and registration to the 2025 Farm Bureau FUSION Conference in Colorado.
The national runner-up will receive a $25,000 credit toward a new piece of equipment from Case IH, courtesy of Case IH.
Third place in the national competition will receive a $2,500 Investing in Your Future cash prize, courtesy of AmericanAg; and $2,500 worth of Stanley Black & Decker merchandise, courtesy of Stanley Black & Decker; and a Case IH branded safe, courtesy of Case IH.
The fourth-place national finalist will receive a Case IH branded Solo Stove, courtesy of Case IH.
Contest information
Information on TFB’s Excellence in Agriculture contest and other young farmer and rancher activities can be found online at texasfarmbureau.org/YFR.